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Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) provides a quantitative tool to evaluate LV function at the regional level. The purpose of this study was to classify the types of regional longitudinal strain curves (LSC). Moreover, we propose a novel longitudinal strain curve index (LSCI) which we compared to the wall motion score index (WMSI).

Introduction: Chylopericardium represents a rare condition of chyle accumulation within the pericardial sac, caused by abnormal thoracic duct anatomy or prolonged increased pressure. Nothing by mouth (NPO) policy and total parenteral nutrition (TPN), even in combination with pericardial drainage, render only a temporary solution. Surgical intervention with thoracic duct ligation and creation of a pericardial window is believed to be the most effective treatment., Case Presentation: An 18-year-old male was referred with a persisting idiopathic chylopericardium for five months. Various drainages and conservative treatment failed. To more permanently treat the chylopericardium, we created a pericardial window and ligated the thoracic duct by right-sided uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Postoperative NPO and TPN for 1 week were initiated, followed by medium-chain-triglycerides diet for 1 week. Clinical improvement occurred and the chest drain was removed two weeks after surgery. Magnetic resonance imaging of the whole body showed multiple cystic lesions in spleen and skeleton compatible with generalized lymphatic anomaly (GLA), proven by the anatomopathological examination of the thoracic duct and lung biopsy. Sirolimus was initiated for further treatment., Conclusion: In this case of idiopathic chylopericardium, we successfully performed thoracoscopic thoracic duct ligation and creation of a pericardial window, diagnosing a GLA.

Background: Testosterone is an important factor that influences the quality of life in men. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how testosterone level impacts the quality of life in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy., Methods: This cross-sectional single-center included 97 male patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, in whom serum testosterone was measured. Health-related quality of life was measured using the translated validated version of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ-12). We used correlation and multivariable regression to assess the association between KCCQ-12 score, serum testosterone level, and clinical and paraclinical variables., Results: The mean age of study participants was 58 (range 29-88). The mean LVEF was 25 ±8.61%. The average total serum testosterone level was 3.13 ±2.72 (range 0.19-13.5 ng/ml). The median global KCCQ-12 score was 44.8 (6.2-90.6) representing a poor to fair impairment in quality of life. There was an inverse correlation between the KCCQ-12 score and NYHA class (Pearson coefficient r = 0.847 p<0.001) and a direct correlation with LVEF (r=0.445, p<0.001). Also, the KCCQ-12 score correlated with hemoglobin level (r=0.214, p=0.037) and plasmatic creatinine level (r=-0.296 p= 0.004). In multivariable regression, the independent predictors of health-related quality of life were testosterone, LVEF, and NYHA class., Conclusions: The results of this study showed for the first time a significant direct relationship between serum testosterone levels and quality of life in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy., Competing Interests: Conflict of interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022, Diaconu R. et al., Applied Systems and Discoveries Journals.)